Last 14 April 2007, Acer Philippines took its friends from the media out and far away from their respective daily grinds for a little fun under the hot summer sun. But if you had sand, sea, and Speedos on your mind, dear reader, better think again.

 

Words and Photos by: Ms. KC Calpo

HP Imaging and Printing Group Asia Pacific/Japan unveiled to the regional IT media last week their secret to eradicating workplace hassles involving printing. From April 16 to 17 of this year, we were privy to what makes HP's Edgeline technology the next step in network printing efficiency, convenience and security. I had the honor of being there to cover the regional launch and represent HWM Philippines, and my companions, for their respective companies and publications.

HWM Singapore's Deputy Editor, Justin Ong, has already delved into Edgeline, the four-year road it took to get to its current state, what sets it apart from the rest and what it can do for enterprises and high-volume printer users in his online coverage (click here to read). We, in turn, present you what went on during the event itself. Don't forget to look for our in-depth coverage in the June 2007 issue of HWM Philippines!

Want to see Star Wars (Ep. 4) on your Windows / DOS?

Then here's just the command for you...

Go to run and type this command: telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl

And in a couple of seconds, Star Wars Episode 4 will run in a way you never imagined.

So go on, type in telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl and tell us if this is a great translation from the original. 

**Internet Service Required** 

Thanks to ibsmav who pointed this wonderful file to me.

Just when I thought that Super Mario Brothers' World 1-1 can't be any much harder...

It's 23 minutes long, so please do stop all your downloads first. Well, I hope you get to see just how hard this Super Mario mod is...

Honestly speaking, this is just so crazy....

Anyone knows where to download the game? Please post it here so we can personally try it out ourselves.

Tired of this set-up? Do you hate it when you have tons of CDs stacked in a tower? Want a CD/DVD holder that is fun and fresh? Then maybe hitting the "Gym" will make it all better....

Just last week, Hardwarezone Philippines obtained the new NEC VERSA L2100 from MSI-ECS.

Here are the product specifications of this classy laptop:

Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor T2350 (1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533 Mhz FSB)

Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic

Chipset: Intel 945GM chipset

Memory: 512MB (1x512MB) DDR2 533MHz

Hard Disk Drive: 80GB PATA 5400RPM

Video Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950

Modem: 56Kbps Fax/Data (V.92)

Keyboard: Standard US Keyboard Layout

Optical Writer: DVD-Super Multi DL+/-R (Double Layer)

Network Card: 10/100 LAN & Atheros AR5006EG Wireless Network Connection (802.11b/g).

Other features include: 

4 x USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, VGA Out, S-Video, Microphone in and headphone jack, 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/ MMC/ MS/ MS Pro), and a Built-in 0.3MP webcam.

Our quick take and our initial observations, after the jump!

There is nothing better than an ice-cold soda from the vendo machine. All I have to do is to put 20 pesos on the coin/bill slot, choose from a variety of sodas, press the button, and voila! The soda is ready to drink in an instant.

Besides the conventional soda vendo machine, various companies have created vending machines that can sell other products: from chips, noodles, hot coffee, to even pizza, you name it, the manufacturers probably got it covered.

Convenient right?

Those who use the Internet a lot definitely wants his/her Broadband maximized. Trouble is, a person cannot really measure the speed of his/her upload and download speed just by using IE/Opera/Firefox.

Just how can you check the speed of your connection you ask? A fun and clear way to check is via a web service called Speedtest.

Are you a fan of games like Need for Speed (Underground, Carbon, Most Wanted) or fast-paced games like Burnout? Do you drive? If you answered "YES!" for both, then better read on... (Of course, if you didn't answer Yes, still read on to know the 4-1-1.)

German researchers discovered that people who play racing-themed computer and video games tend to drive more aggressively, take greater risks on the road and get into accidents.

A few entries back, I mentioned that video games are 'addictive.'

Maybe it is, maybe it's not. But the bottom line is, videogames are starting to destroy lives, one level up at a time. However, Koreans might have just found a way to kick the videogame habit...

It MIGHT be possible with the use of subliminal audio techniques...

Ever dreamed of having a set of pearly whites but can't afford the treatments your friendly neighborhood dentist offers?

Whitening toothpaste can't seem to work?

Then why not do it like other people do? Photoshop it.

The steps are simple:

- Use Quick Mask and slowly highlight your yellow teeth.

- Adjust Feather setting

- Adjust the Hue and Saturation Levels

- AND, adjust the Levels

It's as easy as pie really.

If you really want to see it for yourself, then better watch the video.

If your folks have a couple of machine guns lying around in their secret compartment, then why not do as the Mexicans do?

Trade your real gun for a PC or a Microsoft Xbox.

Let's see just how much you can handle until your arm gets numb...

Defend Your Castle

And see just how much nomads you can take. I just got to Level 20 until my fortress gave in...

Play Defend Your Castle

The game is quite simple. Here's the description from the website...

Defend Your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and at your disposal is an invisible hand for picking up the enemy and flinging them mercilessly to their death. It is a good thing you've got that, at least, for the invaders you face are crafty and employ many different types of soldiers in their quest for your castle.

Attacks come at dawn. The Barbarian invaders arrive in relentless waves until nightfall, when they return to their camp... or sleep in your castle, if you are not capable of defending it. Luckily, however, the game provides a few other tricks up your invisible sleeve. For instance, the capability to convert enemy troops into soldiers to help you defend your walls. You can also purchase upgrades and repairs for your castle, and miraculously, they can be administered overnight, while the barbarian hordes are snoring in their camps!

So assemble your troops, plan your strategy, and defend your castle. It's about time you do.

Tired of those games that have steep requirements? Then better prep yourself, as Hardwarezone now brings to you the Desktop Tower Defense!

Here is the description of the game:

A live action puzzle game written for fun in flash. You have to stop your enemies, or 'creeps', from travelling all the way across the screen. Tower pieces can be purchased and placed on the map to kill the creeps before they make it across. Inspired by a Warcraft 3 tower defense map called Autumn Crossing and a few other TD Warcraft III maps.

If you want to luck your luck, then by my guest. :) Here's the link to the game. Enjoy and tell us your score!

Research show that exercising one's brain may lead to sharper and better memory. Things like sudoku, chess, and even the simple act of reading is a sure fire way to give your brain some exercise.

But those activities are so old school. Isn't there any other way to make my brain healthier? Good thing some people feel the same way and decided to come up with a product that is state of the art!